Remote control electronic display system

ABSTRACT

A remotely controlled electronic display sign which operates with a plasma display and which provides for humidity and heat control and the like allowing the sign to be used in various environments. The sign is essentially self-contained and includes those components necessary for enabling a display of desired material from a remote control source or one located at the sign. A controller in or associated with the sign is accessible either electrically, or through satellite transmission or other wireless transmission from the remote source which allows the display of the sign to be changed at will. Thus, an operator at a remote source may, with the aid of a pre-prepared graphic design, transmit that design to the controller at or associated with the sign for display of that graphic information and potentially with sound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field Of The Invention

[0002] This invention relates in general to certain new and usefulimprovements in display signs, and more particularly, to remotelycontrolled electronically operable display signs in which a display on asign may be changed at will from a remote source, and methods ofdisplaying information in such manner that the sign is used as aninstrument to enhance the image of a product or service.

[0003] 2. Brief Description Of Related Art

[0004] Display signs are used in a wide variety of industries,frequently as promotional and advertising aids. Thus, many retail storeswill employ display signs in the front of their stores or elsewherefeaturing products which are being sold or otherwise offered by thatestablishment. Display signs are also frequently used for trafficcontrol by various municipalities and governmental agencies.

[0005] Essentially all display signs presently available are static inthat they carry a substrate with a message or design thereon and whichis to be conveyed, as for example, a paper sheet having. informationthereon for display and which may be frequently mounted behind atransparent member such as a sheet of glass.

[0006] In many cases, the poster or other display sheet may be mountedwithin a frame having a light source mounted therein. In this case, thefront face of the sheet may be lighted from lights located alongportions of the periphery of the frame. In some cases, when using asomewhat transparent or translucent sheet, back lighting may also beemployed.

[0007] The cost of preparing display signs made with paper andpaper-board substrates can be quite substantial. Initially, the art workmust be prepared often times by hand, although certain computer aids forpurposes of preparing the drawing may be available. Nevertheless,preparation of the drawing is labor intensive. Thereafter, multi-colorprinting is usually required in order to complete the preparation of thepaper or paper-board sign or display. These various steps, as indicated,are labor intensive and therefore materially add to the overall costs ofpreparing a sign or display, particularly when made of a paper orpaper-board material.

[0008] In addition to the foregoing, there are also costs involved inthe shipping or transport of these signs. Generally, they cannot befolded or bent or they would otherwise be unsuitable for use. As aresult, special precautions and shipping containers must be provided fortransport of the paper or paper-board substrate signs or displays.

[0009] There have also been display signs which use a frame and a sourceof light along with a glass or plexiglass sheet having an image or otherinformation literally formed on the sheet, as for example, by means ofglass etching, masking, or the like. However, with this type of display,when it is necessary or desirable to change the display in the sign, itis necessary to prepare a new piece of glass or plexiglass or otherwisea masking on a rear surface thereof having other information presentedthereon.

[0010] Here again, the cost of preparing an etched glass sheet can bequite substantial. The same also holds true of the outer transparentsheets with masks on the rear surface thereof to create a design ordisplay with that sheet. Again, because of the frailty of these sheets,substantial precautions must be taken for the transport or shipment ofthese sheets.

[0011] There is presently no display sign capable of having informationchanged thereon as quickly as information can be changed on the screenof a computer monitor. Moreover, and independently thereof, there ispresently no effective display sign which can be changed from a remotelocation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the presentinvention to provide an electronic display sign which uses a flat paneldisplay image and which can readily be changed in accordance withelectronic signals applied thereto.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide anelectronic display sign of the type stated which can be altered rapidlythrough the use of a computer or otherwise through an image scanner.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide anelectronic display sign of the type stated which can be controlled froma remote source and the display on the sign can be changed at will fromthat remote source.

[0015] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide adisplay sign of the type stated which completely eliminates the need forinterchangeable substrates bearing the information to be displayed.

[0016] It is also an object of the present invention to provide anelectronic display sign and a method of altering a display on a signelectronically and without using interchangeable substrates bearinginformation to be displayed.

[0017] It is another salient object of the present invention to providea method of displaying information by generating that information from aremote source and transmitting that information to a display sign.

[0018] It is still another object of the present invention to provide aunique circuit enabling operation of a display sign from a remotesource.

[0019] It is still a further object of the present invention to providea method of displaying information on the screen of the display sign,potentially along with other external action, such as the addition ofsound or the like, to enhance a product or a service on the displaysign.

[0020] It is yet another object of the present of the invention toprovide a display sign of the type stated which can be used to providevalue plus advertising and which also enables the use of animation withrespect to any message displayed thereon.

[0021] With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides inthe novel features of form, construction, arrangement and combination ofparts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention relates in general terms to a displaysystem including a display sign which is electronically accessible froma remote source and which enables the almost automatic change of adisplay pursuant to control of an operator at the remote source. In abroad sense, the display system of the present invention comprises adisplay sign having a display panel thereon as well as displaygenerating means at the remote source for generating a display to bedisplayed on that display panel. The display is actually generated inthe form of an electrical signal and the system comprises a transmittingmeans for transmitting the electrical signal representing the display tothe display panel of that display sign.

[0023] The present invention also provides a method of generating adisplay on a display sign from a remote source. The method involves thesteps of generating the display and then transmitting that display tothe display sign in the form of electrical signals representing thedisplay. The display sign is provided with electronics using thereceived electrical signal to recreate the generated display and presentsame on the display panel.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the means for transmittingthe display is an electrical conductor connected between the displaysign and the display generating means at the remote source. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the means for transmitting the display is awireless transmission means, such as by means of radio frequencytransmission, satellite transmission, or the like.

[0025] In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the means forgenerating the display comprises an image generating means which enablesthe generation of initial image forming part of the display and atemporary storage for temporarily storing that image. Editing means arealso provided for adding material to or otherwise modifying the image.Thereafter, a permanent storage is provided to enable storage of thegenerated display in electrical format, at least until such time astransmission thereof to the display sign.

[0026] In still a more preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises ascanning means for scanning a particular image and converting the imageinto electrical signals representative thereof. The image is then storedin the temporary storage. A keyboard input may be connected to thattemporary storage for introducing information through a keyboard input.In addition, means is provided for adding other copy material.Thereafter, all of the material added can be edited by an operator toform a display. The display is then stored in a permanent storage.

[0027] It is also possible to generate a display, or to otherwise addinformation to a display, or otherwise alter a display by means ofinformation introduced over the world wide web. Thus, various inputs canbe made from a variety of sources and all of which can be processed andadded to or otherwise used to modify a proposed image, as may bedesired.

[0028] At a predetermined time, the stored display can then betransmitted to a storage in the sign. Moreover, a plurality of differentdisplays can be stored at the remote source and these displays can besequentially transmitted to the display sign. In this way, an operatorcan manually or automatically control the generation of a plurality ofdesired displays in a predetermined time sequence.

[0029] The present invention not only allows for the display to begenerated at the sign from a remote source, but it also allows for aplurality of displays to be presented in a desired format and in adesired predetermined time arrangement, as aforesaid. As a result, thereis no need to use hard copy displays, such as pre-printed paperdisplays. Furthermore, minor changes can be electronically made in adisplay as, for example, minor price changes can be made without thenecessity of re-printing.

[0030] The display sign is also of a unique construction in that itcomprises means for controlling certain atmospheric conditions and,particularly, temperature in the display sign. Furthermore, aninterference filter is formed on the surface of the display panel topreclude excess heat generation within the display sign. The displaypanel is preferably a plasma display, as hereinafter described in moredetail.

[0031] The display sign preferably includes an outer housing which maybe provided with a removable front face or so-called “cover”. The frontface is provided with an enlarged opening in order to enable a displaypanel to appear through that opening. A transparent protective sheet maybe disposed over the display panel.

[0032] The housing is in the form of a rectangularly shaped box,although it may adopt other shapes. The major components which enablethe display including the display panel are preferably mounted on aseparate chassis to enable easy and convenient assembly of the displaysign. The separate chassis is secured through the display box to amounting station, such as a display stand. In this way, only one havingauthorized access to the interior of the display housing can disconnectthe chassis and the mounting station.

[0033] The chassis in the preferred embodiment includes a power supplyfor operating the plasma display panel. In addition, the chassis mayalso comprise a second power supply for operation of a processor orcomputer within the housing. The computer is designed for connection tothe temporary storage at the remote source and will receive generateddisplays in electrical signal format. The computer is programed torecreate those displays at the sign and generate the same through theplasma display panel. For this purpose, the computer is also mounted onthe chassis.

[0034] The housing is preferably provided with a plurality of openingsextending primarily throughout the side wall thereof. Moreover, ventingfans may also be provided for venting heated air in the housing to theexterior.

[0035] The foregoing objects and the advantages of this invention havebeen met and fulfilled by this system and method which has been brieflydescribed in the general description. However, the invention will now bedescribed in more detail in the following detailed description and inthe accompanying drawings. Nevertheless, it is to be understood thatthese drawings and the following detailed description are only set forthfor purposes of illustrating the general principles of the invention.Therefore, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings andthe detailed description are not to be taken in a limiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Having thus described the invention in general terms, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037]FIG. 1 is a schematic component view showing those elementsnecessary for generating a display either through hard wired conveyanceor otherwise wireless conveyance of information;

[0038]FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing major componentsnecessary involved in the generation of an electronic display from aremote source;

[0039]FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram showing those steps involved ingenerating a display from a remote source;

[0040]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one form of display signconstructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the display sign of FIG. 4;

[0042]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lid or cover which extends overthe display sign;

[0043]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along line7-7 of FIG. 6;

[0044]FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view, similar to FIG. 7, andshowing a slightly modified form of cover used with the display sign ofthe present invention;

[0045]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing some of the majorcomponents in the display sign of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 10 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view, partiallybroken away, and somewhat similar to FIG. 9, and showing the variouscomponents in their assembled position;

[0047]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one form of panelconstruction used in the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing one type of mounting for adisplay sign constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention;

[0049]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified formof display sign constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0050] Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to thedrawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the major components forming part of adisplay system D in accordance with the present invention. This displaysystem primarily shows the generation of a display from electricalsignals representative of that display at a remote location andtransmission to a display sign for recreation on that display sign.

[0051] In accordance with the schematic illustration of FIG. 1, thedisplay system D comprises a display sign 20. Incorporated within thedisplay sign 20 or otherwise being connected to the display sign is asign controller 22. This controller may adopt the form of amicroprocessor or computer in the sign and preferably includes astorage, as hereinafter described in more detail.

[0052] The display system D of the invention further comprises a displaygenerating means 24 at a remote source and which is usually comprised ofa computer 26 which may adopt the form of a processor and storage, aswell as a scanner 28. In the embodiment of the invention as shown, thescanner receives ad copy 30 and generates a display in electrical formatwhich can then be transmitted from the computer 26 to the display sign20.

[0053] One of more inputs from the world wide web can also be connectedto the computer 26, as shown in FIG. 1, for aiding in or otherwise beingused to generate the copy which is to be displayed on the plasma displayscreen 20. The computer 26, in the embodiment as illustrated, may belocated at a remote site with respect to the display sign 20. However,it should also be understood that the display sign 20 also includes itsown internal computer so that the entire display is essentiallyself-contained and can be operated without communication with a remotesource. However, the remote source is needed in order to change anydisplay which may otherwise be stored in the memory of the computer atthe display screen, or to otherwise modify the manner in which thedisplay is made.

[0054]FIG. 1 also illustrates both a hard wire conductor means fortransmitting the generated display, as well as a wireless means fortransmitting the generated display. For the purposes of hard wireconductor transmission, the computer 26 is provided with a modem 32 andthe controller 22, and the display sign 20 is similarly provided with acorresponding modem 34. As indicated previously, wireless transmissionis also available and could adopt the form of microwave signaltransmission, radio frequency transmission, including satellitetransmission, or the like. In this respect, the signal which isgenerated is still an electrical signal in either radio frequency formator other wireless transmission format for wireless transmission. Forpurposes of wireless transmission, a satellite 36, as shown, may beemployed, such that the wireless transmission will follow the path 38shown in the dotted lines of FIG. 1.

[0055]FIG. 2 illustrates those major components forming part of thedisplay system of the present invention. In this case, the displaysystem comprises the scanner 28 which is usually employed for purposesof generating the initial image. Typically, a pre-prepared image of theelement to be displayed is used and scanned from the scanner 28 into atemporary storage 40. The image to be scanned by the scanner 28 may be apre-drawn image or otherwise, it can be an image adopted from anexisting source. The scanner 28 will effectively digitize the image andthereby store that digitized image into the temporary storage 40.

[0056] A keyboard input 42 is also connected to the temporary storage 40for introducing information, such as typewritten information, into thatstorage. The temporary storage 40 also receives an input from a worldwide web 43 and which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. In effect,the world wide web would actually constitute one or more inputs fromcomputer transmission lines.

[0057] The temporary storage 40 operates in conjunction with a processor44 and a manually operable editor 46. The editor 46 is primarilydesigned to manipulate the images introduced into the processor 44 andthe information from the keyboard input 42 into a desired format. Thus,a user of the system can manually superpose one image over another orotherwise modify two images by blending them together, etc. The editor46 merely contains controls to enable the processor 44 to perform thosefunctions. In this sense, the editor could also be another keyboardinput much in the same manner as a computer keyboard input.

[0058] The information from the temporary storage 40 is then introducedinto a permanent storage 48 where it can be retained, eitherindefinitely, or at least until such time as it is transmitted to adisplay sign, as hereinafter described in more detail.

[0059] The display system of the invention may also comprise atransmitting means 50 in the form of a transmitter, which isschematically illustrated in FIG. 2. The transmitter means 50 may adoptany conventional form of a transmission means as, for example, themodems 32 and 34, or otherwise for wireless transmission, a radiofrequency transmitter, etc.

[0060] The aforesaid components constitute those major components whichwill form part of the display system and the remote site. Thereafter,the images which form the displays along with the other incorporatedinformation therein can be transmitted to a display storage 60 locatedat and forming part of a display sign 20. The display sign 20, throughits own processor, as hereinafter described, enables the generation of adisplay on a display panel 64 forming part of the display sign 20. Thedisplay panel 64 is also hereinafter described in more detail.

[0061] The display sign 20 may form part of or otherwise may be mountedon a stand 66, as best shown in FIG. 12. The stand 66 conventionallyincludes a base 68 as well as an upstanding leg 70, the latter of whichwould engage and support the display sign 20. However, it should also beunderstood that the display sign 20 could be provided with a mountingmeans, as hereinafter described, for mounting to a wall or likestructure.

[0062]FIG. 3 illustrates some of the major steps associated with themethod for generating a display from a remote source. In this case, itcan be seen that an image, such as an advertising image, is scanned anddigitized for introduction into a temporary storage, such as thetemporary storage 40. Again, keyboard input information is alsoprovided, as well as other copy information, as shown in FIG. 3. Thisother copy information is typically introduced through the scanner 28.

[0063] After the display has been formed, it is stored in the permanentstorage 48 and then introduced into the display storage 60. FIG. 3 alsoillustrates a rotational sequence program which can be used at theremote site or at the display sign. Thus, various displays can begenerated in sequence at the display sign and at pre-determined timeintervals.

[0064] The display sign 20 is more fully illustrated in FIGS. 5-11 ofthe drawings. The display sign 20 generally comprises an outer housing72, such as a rectangularly shaped housing. The housing is preferablyformed of a metal and even more preferably a light weight metal, such asaluminum, although it could be formed of steel or other structuralmaterials. In this respect, the housing could also be formed of plasticsand even reinforced composite plastics.

[0065] The housing 72 is provided with a removable lid or cover plate 74having a depending rim 76 which fits around a portion of the side wallof the housing 72. In addition, the lid or cover plate 74 is providedwith an enlarged central opening 78 in order to enable the display panel64 to appear therethrough. A transparent cover plate 80, in the natureof a protective sheet, could also be included in this opening 78 ifdesired. Furthermore, the removable lid or cover plate 74 is secured tothe housing 72 in some manner as to preclude unauthorized opening as,for example, tamper-proof fasteners.

[0066] In order to preclude glare on the display panel 64, a top plate69 is mounted on the upper end of the housing and carries at its outerend an angularly located somewhat downwardly struck visor 71. Thisconstruction is effective in reducing glare on the display screen 64,particularly from overhead light sources. The top plate 69, which alsofunctions as a visor, is optional in construction and can be eliminatedin those environments where not required. It is also possible to providea non-glare coating on the transparent cover plate 80, although thecoatings themselves have not necessarily been fully effective ineliminating all glare. In a preferred embodiment, the top plate 69 hasan overall dimension from the rear of the housing of about 7″. The lip71 extends downwardly from the top plate 69 at a about a 45° angle.However, other sizes and angular relationships could be used, as may berequired.

[0067] The transparent protective sheet 80 may be formed of atransparent plastic material, or otherwise it may be formed of glass.However, glass is not preferred due to the fact that it will crack orshatter with any rough handling. The transparent protective sheet 80 isretained in a U-shaped grove 82 formed at the edge of the opening 78.This opening is formed by an integrally created U-shaped channel 84surrounding the edge of the opening 78, as best illustrated in FIG. 7 ofthe drawings. In addition, the lid or cover member 74 is also providedwith a U-shaped channel 86 perpendicularly arranged to the grove 82 andwhich is sized to receive the forwardly presented edge of the housing72, as also best shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

[0068]FIG. 8 illustrates a slightly modified embodiment of theconstruction shown in FIG. 7. In place of the formation of a U-shapedchannel 84, a plurality of brackets or tabs 88 affixed to the inside ofthe cover member 74 surrounding the opening 78, are used to hold thetransparent sheet 80 in a fixed position. The remaining portions of thelid are substantially identical to those shown and described inconnection with FIG. 7.

[0069] The operating components forming part of the display sign 20 areactually mounted on a chassis 90 disposed within the housing 72. Thechassis 90 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending side plates 91and which are connected by a bottom plate or chassis plate 93, as bestshown in FIG. 9 of the drawings. Moreover, and by reference to bothFIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that the chassis 90 is disposed withinthe housing 72, as hereinafter described. Mounted on the upper surfaceof the chassis plate 92 are a pair of longitudinally extending framebars 93 and which are connected by transversely extending cross-bars 94.Moreover, the longitudinally extending frame members 93 and thecross-bars 94 can be mounted on a supporting plate 96. Although thesupporting plate 96 is provided in a preferred embodiment, it is notabsolutely necessary and this plate could be eliminated, if desired.

[0070] The housing 72 is preferably comprised of an enclosing side wall98 and a rear wall 100 which extends thereacross and thereby forms aninterior chamber 102. The chassis 90 can be secured to this rear wall100 by means of screws or other fasteners (not shown) which extendthrough the back plate. However, other forms of securement could beprovided for this purpose, as hereinafter described.

[0071] The major operating components of the display sign are mounted onthis chassis which is located within the housing 72, as aforesaid. Thesemajor operating components include a power supply 104 for the computer26 and which also contain the display storage 60. A separate powersupply 108 is also mounted on the chassis plate 96 and providesoperating current for the other components of the display housing. Thecomputer is effectively a microprocessor and contains the storage, asaforesaid, as well as a random access memory and a processor forcontrolling the display of a sign and also is operated from a controlsource at a remote location. Thus, and in this respect, the computer 106is effectively a “slave” computer in that it receives instructions fromthe remote source and performs those instructions in the display sign bygenerating the proper display in accordance with the signals submittedto the computer 106.

[0072] Located on and secured to the upper surface of the chassis 90 isthe display panel 64. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, thedisplay panel is a plasma display. These display units are relativelythin and have a thickness in the order of about 35 mm. One of thepreferred forms of display panel is made by Fujitsu and is identified asa “Full Color Plasma Display”. These displays effectively operate ashigh-definition direct-view television monitors.

[0073] These displays generally contain about 640 horizontal displaypixels and about 480 vertical pixels along with about 1920 horizontaldisplay cells and 480 vertical display cells. Moreover, they operatewith gradations of red, green and blue and present a viewing angle ofabout 140°. Internally, the display is usually comprised of an IFcontroller, a data controller, a random access memory, and a drivercontroller. Nevertheless, since the plasma display is available in theart, it is therefore neither illustrated nor described in any furtherdetail herein.

[0074] It is important to recognize that the display sign itself isgenerally fully self-contained and can literally be moved and operatedat different locations. This is unlike the larger versions of displaysigns in which separate computer operated systems are required in orderto operate the display panel itself. These display signs are effectivelymade with high definition and high resolution display panels. The panelsare flat, as aforesaid, and can be operated at standard line current,such as 120 volt AC current. As indicated previously, all of theseplasma operated display panels are computer operated. In accordance withthe present invention, the entire display panel, whether or not a plasmapanel, is computer operated from a computer source located within thedisplay sign housing. In this sense, a remote source is used to generatethe display which is to be shown on the display panel. However, aplurality of displays can be pre-prepared and stored in the memory ofthe computer contained in the display panel housing. Nevertheless, theremote source would be used to revise or alter those displays, as may berequired.

[0075] Based on the foregoing, the display panel of the invention can bedescribed as a self-contained computer controlled flat panel displayscreen providing high resolution and definition. Although it ispreferable to use the plasma operated display panel, it is possible touse those relatively flat computer controlled display panels which arenot plasma operated but nevertheless still provide high resolution anddefinition and which are still nevertheless portable. Therefore, thedisplay panel which is referred to as a computer controlled displaypanel is preferably one which is self-contained and includes a computercontrolling a flat panel display screen of the type which provides bothhigh resolution and definition and which is also relatively portablewithout the need for heavy transport equipment. This computer controlleddisplay panel, when used in a display sign, also has a computeroperating the display panel located in the display sign housing.

[0076] The aforesaid plasma display screens are relatively thin in theiroverall construction, having a thickness within the range of about 35mm, as aforesaid. Nevertheless, the flat panel display panel of thepresent invention is one which is deemed to have a thickness which doesnot exceed about six inches. Moreover, the entire display signpreferably does not have a thickness exceeding about twelve inches.Although it is possible to use a computer for controlling the displaypanel outside of the sign housing, it is preferable to incorporate thecomputer in the sign housing.

[0077] The display panel used in the display system of the presentinvention differs substantially from that of a standard television typedisplay. In a television display, the image will change at the displayrate as, for example, fifty frames per second. Even though the image maynot change such that the viewer perceives of a same display, the masterpattern is such that the image on that screen nevertheless changes atthe display rate. In the case of the present invention, the display onthe screen may remain for essentially any period of time, includingseveral seconds or several minutes, and there is no composite of framesto generate an image.

[0078] As indicated previously, the display system of the invention isportable. In other words, the entire display housing and stand can bemoved from one location to another without heavy lifting andtransporting equipment. The entire display panel and housing, along withthe stand, could weigh as much as one hundred seventy pounds, but it isnevertheless liftable and movable by two or three persons. In contrast,with some of the large display signs which are presently used as, forexample, a marquees over large hotels and the like, those displays mayweigh several thousand pounds and require a hoist and like equipment tomove same. Nevertheless, since the entire display housing can betransported from one location to another and, indeed, the display panelcan be easily transported from one location to another without the needfor heavy cranes and the like, these display panels and, for thatmatter, the entire display sign is deemed to be portable.

[0079] The location of each of the aforesaid operating components withinthe housing does generate heat within the housing. For this purpose, thehousing 72 is provided with a plurality of apertures 110 on the sidewalls thereof, as shown in FIG. 9. In like manner, the chassis isprovided with aligned apertures 112, as also shown in FIG. 9. In thisway, air-flow ventilation is allowed. Moreover, and if desired, eitherexhaust fans or air in-take fans could be provided in adjacentrelationship to the openings 110 and 112. Other types of ventilationmeans could also be provided, if desired.

[0080] It has been found in connection with the present invention thatoptimum flow and ventilation is achieved when a pair of oppositelydisposed air intakes and a pair of oppositely disposed air outlets areprovided. In addition, two fans are preferably used for air circulationthroughout the housing. Thus, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, forexample, there are a pair of air inlets 110 and a pair of air outlets112. Mounted on the bottom wall of the housing, as hereinafterdescribed, are a pair of fans 124. This type of arrangement is highlyeffective in precluding condensation formation in the space between theactual display panel 64 and the transparent cover plate 80.

[0081] The entire housing 72 is mounted on a mounting plate or supportplate 114, as best shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. In this case, thesupport plate 114 is, in turn, secured to a wall or other supportstructure as, for example, the stand 66, as shown in FIG. 12. Themounting plate 114 is a provided with an upstanding protrusion 116 whichextends through an opening (not shown) in the rear wall 100 of thehousing. Thereafter, a locking pin 118 is provided for extension throughthe side walls of the housing and the opening in the protrusion 116. Inthis way, it is virtually impossible to remove the display sign from themounting plate 114, unless one has authorized access to the interior ofthe housing 72. However, it should be understood that other means formounting the housing 72 to the mounting plate 114 could be provided forthis purpose.

[0082] The display panel 64 may be disposed on the upper surface of thechassis, as aforesaid, or otherwise located within the housing. Inaddition, it may be connected to the electronics and located within thecover plate 74 in adjacent relationship to the transparent cover plate80. However, the display panel is preferably provided with aninterference film or layer 130 which reduces heat introduction into thehousing and operates as a type of interference film. Nevertheless, theinterference film 130 could be located on the transparent cover plate 80for this particular purpose. FIG. 14 shows a stacked arrangement inwhich the display panel 64 is provided with the interference film 130and the outer transparent cover plate 80. If desired, these componentscould be laminated together.

[0083] It is also possible to provide a spacer frame 132 between thetransparent cover plate 80 and the display panel 64, thereby providingan intermediate isolated space 134, all as best shown in FIG. 14. If thespace 134 is properly insulated, then there is little or no possibilityof condensation forming in the interior thereof. Moreover, the space 134could be evacuated during the construction of the assembly.

[0084] It has also been found that the plasma operated screens willgenerate radio frequency interference. Moreover, it has been found thatthe interference film which is employed can be placed directly on theplasma operated display panel in order to preclude this interference.For this purpose, the interference layer is approximately 1.5 mil thick.It has been found that a plastic cover cannot be used for this purposebecause of potential out gassing.

[0085] The display system of the present invention provides a uniqueadvantage which has not been heretofore available. The display can begenerated in this case as an analog display. Prior art systems, on alimited basis, have used computers to generate a display on a sign.However, that display is necessarily generated in a digital format and,thus, has significant limitations on the quality and the ability of aparticular display to be generated. Contrariwise, in the presentinvention, a display, which may be generated from a photographic image,can be essentially recreated on a display sign from a remote source.

[0086] The display system of the present invention not only operates asa true display sign per se, but it is also effective in operating as atype of product or service promotion enhancing medium. Thus, not onlydoes the display sign present a display as such, but the manner in whichthe display system is operated literally has been found to provide atype of advertising or promotional medium. For this purpose, the displaystand itself may be provided with an arrangement for displayingproducts. Referring again to FIG. 12, it can be seen that a plurality ofupstanding dividers 140 (four as shown) divide the upper surface of thebase 68 into individual compartments 142. Various products can bedisplayed directly in these individual compartments. As a simpleexample, if the display stand were used in a supermarket, cans of aspecified vegetable may be literally stacked in one of the compartments142, packaged meat products could literally be displayed in another oneof the compartments, etc. For this purpose, the construction of the basecan vary and, for that matter, additional shelves can be mounted on thelegs 70 in order to increase the display space.

[0087] In another embodiment of the invention, the display sign can beused as a type of point of sale promotion enhancer. Referring FIG. 13,for example, it can be observed that there is a display sign 20 alsomounted on a stand 68 having an upstanding leg 70. For purposes ofproviding information, such as coupons which could be used, e.g. in adrugstore, a rack 144 is mounted on the leg 70, as shown in FIG. 13.This rack can be sub-divided into individual compartments for holdingvarious types of informational sheets which may be picked up by a user.In addition, and for purposes of making reservations when a displayadvertises a particular feature or event, or when the display advertisesa hotel, for example, a telephone 146 can also be connected to the outerhousing 72. This telephone 146 could either be a dialing telephone orone which is connected directly to a source capable of taking areservation or otherwise booking an arrangement for the caller. Thus, asa simple example, the display sign could be generating displaysfeaturing a particular hotel and if the observer is pleased with thedisplays generated, he or she can merely pick up the telephone handset,as shown in FIG. 13, and immediately access an operator or other agentcapable of making the reservation or booking the particular event orhotel room for the caller.

[0088] These few features alone illustrate the wide versatility capableof being achieved with the display system of the present invention. Inthis respect, the display system can generate a type of “streamingmedia”, that is, it possesses the capability of presenting continuouslygroups of advertisements which may be run together end on end and, forthat matter, can even blend advertisements. This may be particularlyadvantageous when a product display is also set up on the base, aspreviously described. In addition, the display can actually be animatedwith a type of 3-D presentation. Various graphic aids can also be used.

[0089] As a simple example, the display can be generated initially fromtop to bottom or from bottom to top. FIG. 12 shows, for example, adisplay which is coming from the lower right hand corner of the displayscreen and which is being increased in size over time.

[0090] Thereafter, the next display could come from a different corneror from a side, top or bottom of the screen. This type of presentationhas been found to generate a great deal of attention.

[0091] In addition to the foregoing, the product or service which isbeing generated can also be animated in order to obtain attention ofindividuals. Furthermore, sound can be generated. Thus, as a simpleexample, on each occasion when a new product or service is offered or,for that matter, when images of a particular product or service beingoffered changes, a bell can ring or other noise can be generated inorder to catch the viewer's attention. As indicated previously, thebasket or rack enables hand-outs to the viewer and, thus, represents atype of “uplift” advertising, that is, it causes people to purchase moreof a particular product or service than they would otherwise purchase.

[0092] The display system of the invention also has the capability,particularly when operated from a remote source, of causing alterationsof the display at any point in time. Thus, for example, if an eightounce box of a particular product is being displayed, it is possible toimmediately cause a four ounce box of that same product or, for thatmatter, another product to be presented over the image of the eightounce box of product. Moreover, with the animation and the fact that thedisplay can be generated in essentially any fashion, it is possible toplace a product or service in a most favorable light.

[0093] It is also possible to operate a plurality of these display signsat a single location or at different locations from one remote source.Moreover, all of the display signs could be operated simultaneously orindividually. In addition, all of the display signs could be connectedtogether through a single telephone circuit enabling the access of allof the individual display panels.

[0094] One of the features of the display stand of the invention is thefact that it actually attracts the viewer, that is, viewers willliterally stand in front of the display in order to view same. This hasbeen found to be important in that it actually increases the purchase orother acquisition of the service or product. Thus, the display stand notonly functions to merely advise of the availability of a product orservice, but it provides information about that product or service and,in addition, promotes and enhances the product and service so that theinterest of the viewer is increased in that product and service byviewing the display. In this way, the display device not only functionsto present displays, but it actually functions to enhance and increasethe advertising appeal of a particular product or service.

[0095] Thus, there has been illustrated and described a unique and noveldisplay system which enables a display sign to be operated from a remotesource and where a display can be generated at the sign based on signalsfrom the remote source and which are transmitted to the display sign forgeneration of an analog display thereon. The display system and thedisplay sign forming a part thereof thereby fulfill and meet all of theobjects and advantages which have been sought. It should be understoodthat many changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications will become apparent to those skilled in the art afterconsidering this specification and the accompanying drawings. Therefore,any and all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses andapplications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of theinvention are deemed to be covered by the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what I desire to claim and secureby Letters Patent is:
 1. A display system for generating a display at adisplay sign from a remote source, said display system comprising: a) adisplay sign having a high resolution flat display panel; b) processingmeans in said display sign for generating a display on said displaypanel from signals transmitted from a remote source; c) displaygenerating means at the remote source for generating a display in theform of an electrical signal capable of being transmitted; and d) meansat the remote source for transmitting electrical signals representativeof that display to the processor means at the display sign.
 2. Thedisplay system of claim 1 further characterized in that said displaysign is self-contained to be able to generate a plurality of differentdisplays stored in a storage of said processing means. 3.The displaysystem of claim 2 further characterized in that said display panel is aplasma operated display screen.
 4. The display system of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that said display generating means comprises a computermeans for generating a display and transmitting electrical signalsrepresentative of said display over an electrical conductor or bynon-electrical conductor means.
 5. The display system of claim 4 furthercharacterized in that said computer means at said remote source receivesinput signals over the world wide web which are used to generate adisplay.
 6. The display system of claim 1 further characterized in thatsaid display generating means comprises means for scanning a copy of adocument and means for introducing additional input based on manualactuation of an operator to alter the document, and a computer means atsaid remote source to aid in transmitting electrical signalsrepresentative of the generated image to the display sign.
 7. Thedisplay system of claim 2 further characterized in that said processingmeans comprises a storage capable of storing a plurality of differingimages to be presented and a sequencing means to cause sequentialdisplay of certain of said images.
 8. A display sign capable ofgenerating a display based on electrical signals from a remote source,said display sign comprising: a) an outer housing; b) a high resolutiondisplay panel on said housing and being observable to a viewer; c)processor means within said housing and receiving an electrical signalfrom a remote source representative of the display to be generated, saidprocessor means causing generation of that display on the display panelbased on the signal received from the remote source.
 9. The display signof claim 8 further characterized in that said display sign isself-contained to be able to generate a plurality of different displaysstored in a storage of said processor means.
 10. The display sign ofclaim 8 further characterized in that said display panel is a plasmaoperated display screen.
 11. The display sign of claim 8 furthercharacterized in that said housing is provided with internal ventilatingmeans to control heat generation and to reduce condensation which mighttherein form.
 12. The display sign of claim 11 further characterized inthat said ventilating means comprises air inlet means and separate airoutlet means and separate fan means for moving air through said housing.13. The display sign of claim 8 further characterized in that saiddisplay panel forms part of a self-contained computer controlled flatpanel display screen assembly.
 14. The display sign of claim 13 furthercharacterized in that said processor means contains a memory with sizesufficiently large to contain all of the information necessary tosequentially display a plurality of stored displays.
 15. The displaysign of claim 8 further characterized in that a protective transparentcover plate extends over said display panel and spacer means holds saidcover plate in spaced apart relationship from said display panel andprovides an air gap therebetween.
 16. The display sign of claim 8further characterized in that said housing is maintained on a backsupport plate, said support plate having an outward projection whichextends into said housing, said projection being located to receive abacking pin extending through a side wall of said housing and into saidprojection to secure said housing to said support plate and preventunauthorized access to said housing.
 17. A display system for generatinga display on a display sign and enhancing the image of the product orservice which may be displayed thereon, said display system comprising:a) an outer housing; b) a display panel on said housing and beingobservable to a viewer; and c) a processor means in said housing andcontrolling the display presented on said display panel, said processormeans capable of altering the direction and manner in which a display isgenerated on the screen and to provide animation to a display product orservice to increase consumer appeal to the displayed product or service.18. The display system of claim 17 further characterized in that saidhousing is mounted on a stand which has shelf space for holding aproduct of the type being displayed on said display panel.
 19. A processfor generating a display on a display sign from a remote source, saidprocess comprising: a) providing a display panel having a highresolution display screen at a location having viewing accessibility; b)generating a display at a remote source and converting the display asgenerated to equivalent electrical signals; c) transmitting saidelectrical signals to a processor at said display panel and operatingsaid display panel; and d) causing generation of a display on saiddisplay panel based on the transmitted electrical signals.
 20. Theprocess for operating a display of claim 19 further characterized inthat said process comprises generating the display from a plurality ofsources including scanning of pre-generated material to obtain an imagetherefrom.